Walking in the forest

I love walking in the forest
Losing sight of road, rail and town
I want to hug the trees awhile
To dip my hands in bubbling streams
I've done it most of my long life
Such a pleasure with my dear wife

We'd sit us down with backs to trees
As birds appear when we are still
Owls would open one eye to check
"Whoo, whoo?" One whispers to their mate
"The usual two, they do no harm
They come from beyond Arnold's farm"

We sit down now part of the scene
Gum trees wave branches looking down
They seem quite pleased to see us too
As the west wind now makes them bow
A lone roo comes to check us out
Joined by mate and joey close by

Satisfied, forest comes alive
Geckos run up and down the limbs
The scent of trees tells us to stay
Every creature knows they're safe
My wife is crying and so am I
We'll remember this 'til we die    


Note: I have mentioned in odd previous posts that my wife was an avid bird watcher and needless to say I got roped in as well and many delightful moments were spent getting lost in forests or deserts hoping we could find our way back to the car. Occasionally we'd come across a bird or furry animal trapped in branches miles from anywhere and needing help to get away. There is nothing quite like seeing the surprise on a bird's face that we were not going to eat them but they were free to fly back home afterwards. 
     
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/forest-dark-woods-trail-path-1031022/

Round in circles

I am going round in circles
That's good the planet does too
No wonder the way we treat it
It gives to us with richness
We treat it with bitchiness

We burn the forests, foul the seas
The ice caps melt and whales mourn
Wild animals starve, best in zoos?
Extract the oil and iron ore
Both are bad so what the hell for?

No good remembering the past
For as kids we were at war
Sadly no lesson this taught us
We must have loved them, they've not ceased
But still our numbers have increased

The fault sadly is in the stars
Just wait I think it should be ours!
World leaders are weak as piss
We're still keen to buy our next cars
While others plan their lives on Mars

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/milky-way-galaxy-night-sky-stars-984050/

On Struggle Street

Here I am on Struggle Street
I've no money to make ends meet
And ask myself what it all means
Nothing in life is what it seems

Could you spare a dime (or more)
I'll work hard til my hands are sore
Start early until clock chimes six
Tell the truth I'll not play tricks

Straight up honest by design
Dare not with wife and bub of mine
As for conduct I don't do crime
I'll be at work all the time

Probe all you like about my past
I want this job and it to last
I'll be there on site at first light
At your side I'll do things right

Okay, okay! The job is yours
Mind you, It's sack if you give cause
Thank you boss, I won't make a mess
Wife can now buy a new dress

Image found at  www.https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-happy-shopping-bags-1329790/

The girl with green eyes

I'm deep in the woods
Breathing in its scent
Sat down by the water
As is ripples away
I remember one day

Once we rode horses
Your friend owned them
Before you left me
Deep in the forest
Where we had a rest

We patted their necks
They nodded their heads
One nibbled the grass
Foxes concerned you
Fearing a to do

There was no problem
With their whinny call
Sending firm message
Releasing her fear
She was such a dear

Just where is she now?
It's such a long time
I loved her green eyes
I sit by the stream
Of her I still dream

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/horse-back-autmn-fall-82497/

I woke with a start

I woke with a start.
Was that a bump?
It was pitch dark.
Who is that there?
Had to check up.
Put my robe on.
Quiet down the stair.
Open the back door.
Hair stands on end.
Am grabbed from behind.
What is going on?
Whisked off my feet.
Can't even call out.
Put into a boat.
And Charon he says:
"Coin in my hand."
Then opens my mouth.
I panic and squirm.
A tooth he extracts.
My gold capped one.
He examines it well.
And loosens his grip.
I'm over the side.
In the River Styx.
The river of death.
Swim to the shore.
Run back home fast.
In through the door.
Climb up the stairs.
Get into my bed.
Am asleep in a sec.
Dead to the world!
Wake soaked in sweat.
That wasn't a dream.
I have cheated death.
Just for a bit!


(Image by Cecil Keating found on cover of Penguin Classics book  "Satirical Sketches" by Lucian. 1961)


This poem written almost exactly ten years ago to the day was one of the first poems I ever posted. The coin in the mouth (or my gold tooth) was the tradition to pay the mythical ferryman for the journey across the River Styx to Hades in ancient Greek tradition.

I am sorry

I am sorry you died before me
I can still remember you saying
Such a very long, long time ago
You and your sister planned it all out
That once me and her husband died
That both of you would live together
In a house by the sea hearing the tide

I thought it was such a good idea
You had been so close when you were young
But sadly though that never took place
You both skipped off just a year apart
Leaving us husbands the ones that cried
Having to cook our meals just like you
Coping with old age all blurry eyed

I forgive you for that dearest one
For I now cook, clean and tidy up
And yes, I make the bed and change sheets
Plus vacuum the carpet every week
I do all the things you used to do
But what I miss these days most of all
Is being cuddled up at night with you

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/bed-bedroom-pillows-bedding-home-1348721/

The sea and me

The sea has always had a power over me
Since first I was taken there barely three
To find that each year it would be the rule
To go there when there was a break from school
At first it was just to paddle and bathe
Until the sea embraced me with a wave

Up above the searching seagulls would fly and squawk
Dad slept in deckchair, Mum watched like a hawk
Later as I approached my teenage years
I was free to roam without Mum in tears
I wandered far watching all the wild life
And like any boy had trusty penknife

And the gulls and terns flew high in sky overhead
While I scrabbled around searching sea bed
Every sign of oceans aquatic world
Would entrance me 'til in bed I was curled
I still walk the beach, I did yesterday
Some terns flew overhead and squawked a "Hey"


Illustration "At the seashore" by S. Anderson

Summer comes early in Oz

It is springtime now in Australia
Koala bears grunt in Eucalypt trees
Blossom falls like confetti down
Ashes from burning off soon will end
Lest wildfires spread over our wide land

"Bring on summer" kids happily say
Whilst Ma clears shelves for bottling ripe fruit
We love the sun but still have a moan
As sun scorches everyone in town
As skin reddens; not beautiful brown

Faces glowing in the brazen sun
Kids all in tears now going back home
We start a sing-song in the packed car
Carpet covered in sand and rubbish
Ma says "Shall we stop for chips and fish?"

That received a quick round of applause
We spot right shop to fill all our needs
So in we go shedding sand and grit
Minus shoes on kids who'd come in too
All happy now on route fifty-two

Image found at http://www.aussiecampersvans.com

We stood there in awe

Many years ago my wife and I went on a weekend away to learn about birdwatching in Australia. Needless to say with wifey all enthused I too had got roped in to identify birds see on our travels from the guidebooks and to tick off our lists for the year, the state, and the whole of Australia in one all time list.

Binoculars at the ready, searching for birds not yet ticked we took roads less travelled, on tracks with snakes basking on paths, on deserted beaches with cross sea lions and at sewerage farms stinking!

We rose early in the mornings and searched woods and forests by day and night to find owls and pipits, wrens and whistlers, pardalotes and penguins plus an eagle or two.

Once when we were driving a road by the Murray river we thought we'd take a break at the next town but before we did we found a sewerage farm just out of town with plenty of birds there to check out.

Unfenced, in we went holding our noses to start with and we spied on coots and galahs, a cockatoo or two and then some ducks on the water that we had never seen before. Thumbing through our field guides we found they were Australian Freckled Ducks, the rarest ducks in Australia. It was amazing that a retired couple could get so much pleasure seeing them in such a stinky environment.

Image 1 found at www.Freckled-Ducks.jpg
Image 2 found at www.Freckled-duck-female.jpg

The food we eat

When we were cavemen in a cave
To find our food we were brave
We had to stalk furry friends
With tools and some odds and ends

Such as club made from a tree
Or spear, near by best not be
I'd prefer noose or trap
As prey was not happy chap

It all seems so simple now
Don't need to kill pig or cow
But visit our butcher man
For prewrapped cut set to scan

Remember when fruit we'd feel
Was it ripe or a bad deal?
Now it's all in plastic wrap
Touch the fruit you get a slap

Now warnings are on each pack
It's your fault if sense you lack
Recall as kids years ago
Raw fruit and veg? Go, go, go!

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/norwich-city-market-stall fruit-2830011/

Thoughts when young

I often sit on our balcony
And watch clouds dash across the sky
Look! They seem to race each other
Just like us sister and brother
Sister sighs and raises her eyes
She's much older and fancies guys

Damn, I wasn't 'spose to tell  you that
So I'll just bend and stroke the cat
Tthere is a girl I like at school
Shouldn't chat, its against the rule
But she sits close makes eyes at me
Think she teases but I'm happy

We both walked home the other day
'Cos she doesn't live far away
We held hands I even kissed her
She's even better than my sister!
I like the way she flicks her hair
Wish I was was a millionaire

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/boy-girl-love-pair-hug-beautiful-946217/

Planning Christmas

Cats collide being rained upon
Dry summer days have now long gone
Evening light fades
I flick my braids
Finger them now
Shy smile on show
Toddler sister follows me round
Without making one sound

I like autumn when the leaves fall
From the sycamore tree tall
Scuff feet in leaves
Dad checks the eaves
Wear socks for hose
And warm night clothes
With our Lounge fire hot as a forge
And lots of snacks and food shall gorge

Might get dressed up for Halloween
Perhaps I'm too old at sixteen?
Roads now icy
Driving's dicey
Salt is now spread
Got hat on head
Snuggling is good with my boyfriend
Check Christmas lists that never end

Image found at https://www.seniorcatwellness.com/where-do-cats-go-when-it-rains/

Keep Still

Sleeping doesn't come easy
There's not much to cheer one up
As a welter of worries come
And phantoms creep around you
You hear them at the keyhole
Menacing you as you dream
And pray for a quiet life
Or at least for forty winks
And you find yourself praying
Then you hear your wife saying:

"Keep still will you or sleep in the spare room!"


Image found at https://imgflip.com/memetemplate/112444599/couple-thinking- bed

I held her just one time

When I was a teen
Or something in between
But growing, becoming aware
Of girl sitting in a chair
Feeling her warmth close by
Oh those days long gone by

She was quite cute
Even described as beaut
I lked the way she flicked her hair
Just waiting there in that chair
Eyes lowered as she sat
I must sit, have a chat

And so I did
She smiled at me that kid
We talked. I asked for a dance
Knowing others now did glance
She nodded, held my hand
Danced around to the band

I felt so proud
Wanted to shout out loud
Dancing with her was a delight
For this girl was dynamite
She was just so sublime
I held her just one time

https://pixabay.com/photos/nightclub-disco-ladies-night-lady-3492750/

My girl's eyes always light up

When we go for a walk in the meadow

If the buttercups are in bloom, she smiles
Then she will lay down with them
They grin back at her
The bees buzz and fly away
While the Sun hides behind a cloud
They all know I will kiss her

She sighs, but I know that she is happy



Image found at www.istockphoto,com/ae.photo/teenage-girl-in-dress-in-field-of-buttercups-gm691866878-127697555

Cash no longer jingles

What is is it about everyday living?
Makes me think we're near the last days on Earth
Proud to have cash, possessions great life style
But love and empathy there's such a dearth

Everything revolves round mighty dollar
Euro, rouble, pound, rupee, yen or yuan
But trading in these for sheer profit
Causes strife from here to Baluchistan

Cash no longer jingles in our pockets
Every move you take or words that you say
Banks are on it, they've got you covered
Someone makes a note to ensure you pay

Soon you'll find there is but cashless living
Whatever you spend they'll take some extra
For the trouble in holding your account
It is safer with them is their mantra

Once money was for the rich of the world
While us poor ones bartered our lives away
Who wins if banks hold your money for you
They do profit but not much comes your way

Image 1 found at https://www.cpast.au/articles/bank-branch-closures/
Image 2 found at https://pixabay.com/photos/euro-bank-notes-coins-1166051/

Dancing in the dark

But we were just dancing in the dark
Then you didn't want me any more
I cried my eyes out lest we should part
Please, please darling don't show me the door

You sit there and got nothing to say
That's fine let's just snuggle in the dark
Or take a stroll down town together
Even sit by the lake in the park

Please don't be grumpy my dearest love
How about we both cuddle in the flicks
That movie you want to see is on
You have always made the best of picks

See you're smiling, you going to move?
At last you have found your happy spark
What's that...you fancy Oscars night club?
So we'll be just dancing in the dark...

...Suits me baby

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/barcelona-night-couple-man-woman-959073/

When Maud Clements died

It was a grey autumn day that Maud Clements died in the nursing home accompanied by her few meagre possessions. There was a grubby torn Bible, a faded photo of her late husband and some chipped and cracked china dishes that had accompanied her from her last home. She had told her carers that they were special as they reminded her of Jack her late husband. Her family came after they had been told she had gone and saw what little of her life remained; they shook their heads and told the manager; "Just get rid of it is all just rubbish". The manager nodded politely and instructed the cleaner to dispose of everything as the family wanted nothing. Amanda Perry, the cleaner collected the few pieces of Maud's life and placed them in a cardboard carton and set off for the trash bins ready to dump the lot. As Amanda dropped the grubby, broken and torn items into the bin her eyes glimpsed one little dish of a courting couple, on the back of which Maud had stuck a label which read , "Just like Jack and me" so she slipped into her uniform pocket.

At the end of her shift she managed to get home about six at night and after having a quick meal sat down by the fire and took the dish out and examined it properly. "Good" she murmured to herself turning it over and reading on the back "Limoges pottery".

Word count 242

Image found at https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FRENCH-LIMOGES-Display-Plate-25cm-Fragonard-Red-Gold/193106638911?hash=item2cf60d783f:g:1VAAAOSwroFbf9vO                                            

Keeping fear away

How I miss my young childhood
Running throught the cedar trees
Throwing pebbles in the stream
Was long ago like a dream

Glimpses of the fairies there
Skipping through the woodland green
Head resting on mossy bank
Best of childhood who to thank?

Strangely this was wartime
When pure fear was all around
I'd sing song at morning light
Looking cheery, looking bright

I had my own secret life
Wayfarer far from all strife
For I'd be found tightly curled
Dreaming of another world

How I miss my young childhood
Running through the cedar trees
Throwing pebbles in the stream
Was long ago like a dream

Image found at https://www.bbc.com/news/49648867

The city I love

The sun sets in the city I love

Darkness hides life about us now

As owls and bats skim all about

In dark corner I hear a shout

Is that a rat in narrow alley

I am sure it was he didn't dally

The full moon smirks from its safe place

As call girls show much of their wares

Taxi cabs deliver their rides

As they cross the road with big strides

The girls plead but are brushed away

Long night for them until break of day

The nightclubs are filling up fast

This city like any other

Is now embraced by everyone

Even that guy toting a gun

I drink my coffee in Joes bar

Check driver of that fancy car

Then I hear the tires give a scream

As it takes off swiftly pursued

Is chased down the street to dockside

I leave; stuff ups I can't abide

Flag a cab, must get out of here

Found later in bar drinking beer

Image found at https://www.instagram.com/mc...monster/

India has excelled

As a young boy growing up in Britain
Just after the Second World War
I knew all about Mahatma Ghandi
Fighting for India's independence
Walking miles across his country
Something that had not been done before

Luckily Britain knew it was time too
To give up its colonial rule
Somehow mass migration then took place
All across India's expansive country
So religious groups should not clash
Gandhi's life was taken by a fool

India now is such a great nation
Excelling in so many ways
One of the fastest growing economies
And a member of the space industry
Ghandi would be mighty proud
India has excelled since his days

Images found at 1.https://pixabay.com/photos/india-human-indians-people-416777/
                           2.https://www/space.com/india-chandrayaan-2-moon-mission-launch-success.html